1930 Martin OM-18

$13,000.00

  • SOLD!

  • Year: 1930
  • Manufacturer: Martin
  • Model: OM-18
  • Case: Hard
  • Color: Natural
  • Condition: Very Good
  • Description: The revolutionary request from a banjo player to the Martin Guitar company resulted in an instrument that became the standard for modern flattop guitars. In 1929 banjoist/guitarist Perry Bechtel ordered a Martin with a slim, 14-fret neck. What evolved from Bechtel’s initial input was the Martin Orchestra Model (OM) guitar, which today is the benchmark acoustic guitar for fingerstyle players. Singing cowboy Roy Rogers was among the first to jump on the OM bandwagon. The OM-18 first appeared in 1930, 89 were made that year, and they retained the standard appointments of an 18-series guitar, with these changes: longer scale fourteen-fret neck, solid headstock and banjo tuners. This example sports those features with one exception: it likely has its original “long” pickguard, as opposed to the standard “short” pickguard seen on most OMs of the period. Perhaps this OM was constructed in ’30, put away “in the white” and only sold in ’31, when the “long” guards begin to appear. The serial number 44757 dates this one to no earlier than October of '31, because the heel block is stamped "OM-18", and Martin only began that practice in October of '30. Regardless, the pickguard was removed and reglued, and there is no evidence of this guitar ever having a smaller guard. Back and sides are Honduran mahogany and the top is Adirondak spruce; the neck is mahogany, with a rosewood overlay on the headstock; CF Martin & Co stamped on the back of the headstock; original 18-series banjo tuners; original ebony fingerboard with 3-dot inlay and bar frets; 25.4” scale; ebony (replacement) bridge; period Martin replacement black bridge pins. The body is 15” wide across the lower bout. Fingerboard measures about a thou under l ¾” at the nut, with string spacing 2 5/16” across the saddle. The neck profile is a modern-feeling C-shape, typical of the OM Martins. Old repairs to this guitar include: small patch and crack repairs at bottom of back; small patch in lower bass bout; older and very light overspray. There are various nicks and dings, some playwear on the top, and finish crazing overall. New repairs by noted luthier Steve Kovacik include: exact replacement bridge, and some pin hole repair in original bridge plate (a replacement bridge on the guitar used a slightly different pin hole spacing); neck reset; fret level and dress; new saddle. The action is set at 5/64” from top of 12th fret to bottom of high E, and 6/64” from top of 12th fret to bottom of low E. The innards have been inspected and are straight and tight. The guitar plays beautifully and is very comfortable in the hand. The sound produced by this early example is among the best we’ve heard and is what players expect from an early OM..very balanced overall, strong projection, with each string ringing out independent of the others, producing the magical clarity and tone that rank the early Martin OMs into the upper echelon of vintage guitars. Once in the hands, this is a difficult guitar to put down. Comes with a period correct vintage hard case. HOLD